It was inevitable that sooner or later other acts would follow in Opeth's wake, adopting what was for a long time an inimitable style; and while Bereavement are probably not the first, they are the first I have heard to adopt Opeth's style to such an extensive degree.

As with Opeth, Bereavement alternate between acoustic and heavy sections and provide clean vox and death growls. However, they are not as tight, nor do their compositions contain the subtle shades and nuances that draw me back to Opeth time and time again. The production is rawer and Bereavement generally have a more progressive approach.

Lest I be seen as being more than a tad unfair and unnecessarily harsh, I hasten to add that for a band to evoke masters such as Opeth on their debut release -- and self financed at that -- speaks volumes about their songwriting skill and ability. It's just that I would prefer them to take their Opeth influences and create something that is unambiguously their own creation. They are a talented group, and their second release will in all likelihood see something closer to their own unique identity emerging, but _The Advent of Loss_ is just a bit too derivative. Sorry, guys.